Issue 1: Processed Cheese and Cheddar Pipe Dreams
Hope is a charcuterie board with a torsion spring. How Fancy!
Here we go. There’s no turning back now. I’ve officially added yet another thing to my “I’ve taken on too much” list and I’m now obligated to entertain you fine folks.
My Microzine is finally here after tons of procrastination, fighting over what to write, and struggling to believe no one will care to read it.
As I write this, I’m still winging it, so expect this thing to transform and progress over time, but regardless of the journey, I appreciate your patience and truly hope you enjoy the experience…whatever that means.
Welcome to The Bluebird Paradox, a gritty MicroZine written by me, Chris Sadhill, that explores the coexistence of light and darkness, focusing on social issues and the human experiences we often overlook, presented through various short stories, poetry, and other creative arts.
The Bluebird pays homage to Charles Bukowski’s poem Bluebird, which delves into themes of vulnerability, repression, and the struggle to express oneself authentically.
Often, the Bluebird symbolizes hope, love, positivity, and renewal; however, throughout my life, I’ve observed the presence of darkness where there is light, leading me to believe in a paradoxical relationship between the two.
The Bluebird Paradox embraces the inherent contradictions and complexities of our existence and seeks to reveal deeper truths about society, emotions, and the human experience.
Thank you for being here. Please enjoy the read.
Once in a while, I’ll make a happy mistake or find inspiration along the way, so while sitting at my desk staring blankly at the monotony of white trim bordering a grey wall, this month’s theme came to me. Centered above my desk is a Steve Cutt's print titled “Tube Rats,” a screenshot of his animated short film “Rat Race.”
Steve Cutts produces creative works of satire that challenge us to question societal norms, think for ourselves, and explore the idiocracies of modern culture. He’s a badass, doing more for society than most politicians. His work can be found on his WordPress website and YouTube channel. Consider buying this Brit, a damn coffee.
This month’s theme is not only based on his film “Rat Race,” but also a poem I wrote in 2023 for a writing contest that challenged writers to explore the word “hope” however they interpreted it. It’s titled “Processed Cheese and Cheddar Pipe Dreams.”
If you’re new to the “Sadhill Experience” I welcome you and encourage you to engage the world with an open mind by asking questions often and refusing to accept things presented at face value. In many ways, asking questions is one of the few freedoms we have left. To those who have read my work, you’re probably familiar with my stories or poems stretching traditional definitions and often analyzing subjects from obscure angles. This poem is no different.
Hope is what you make of it. It’s a choice—a perception of the mind and a self-induced tricking of one’s present into believing there’s a better future regardless if it ever comes. It’s a manipulation that can have a positive outcome, but it also means others can and will take advantage of it.
My poem explores the idea, that one should be careful of what they place their hope and faith into because, to a large extent, we are all susceptible to becoming a “rat” in their very dark experiments. Arguably, we already are. Who are they? Well, that’s for another day and another newsletter.
Hope can be an amazing thing, and if used correctly a powerful instrument for progress and success. I encourage each of you to choose wisely where you place your hope and I wish for your success.
“Processed Cheese and Cheddar Pipe Dreams” by Chris Sadhill Hope dangles just out of reach, but always in clear view encouraging us to run in place until we die, and so…we do. Look at us rodents racing chasing tails gnawing on arsenic-laced success. How fancy! Sprinting faster circling nowhere on a looped track leading us back to start again. But it's all about that journey, right? Hope is a charcuterie board with a torsion spring, and we wash it all down with sour curds from “farm-raised” teats the size of smokestacks. What was once good for your bones now may cross them. So, bottoms up and Bon Appetit! It seems we’ll all die early having forgotten to think for ourselves because we left our anticoagulated minds back in elementary. A lesson never learned as a new litter is born every two-hundred seventy days and with every new wave, heeded warnings turn into echoes of older mice choking through foam already too far gone to realize hope was just an illusion— they never had a chance anyway. ©2023 Chris Sadhill
Sadhill’s Music Minute
Some mainstream music is great, but let’s be honest, most of it is overproduced shit. That doesn’t do it for me.
In each newsletter, I plan to showcase a song that not only highlights the smaller indie artists that I love listening to but also one that fits the “theme” if I have one.
“True Faith” by Lotte Kestner has a certain mood and tone that works well with my theme of hope and faith. It has been recently used for “The Last of Us” Season 1 Episode 4.
Sadhill News
Writing Battle
I’ve just finished participating in the 2024 Spring Micro Fiction Writing Battle where my short story, “When The Sun Goes Down” was awarded a Thrilling 32 Silver Trophy winning 8 out of 10 duels and ranked in the Top 32 out of 313 writers in my genre or the top 10% of participants in the There's Only One Bed genre. It earned a Top 128 placement among 1410 total submitted stories or the Top 9% in the entire contest across all four genres.
I received 90 reads and comments during the debriefs. Holy Hell! I'm so stoked so many people enjoyed my work and connected to my unnamed "big sis" main character (who will be named upon revision) and her younger sister, July. These contests are always a blast.
Twist in the Tale
I took inspiration from Edgar Allen Poe's The Pit and the Pendulum to create my word baby, "Perpetual Override" which weighs in at 985 words and I've written, beta'd, and submitted it for competition.
The results of the contest are on Wednesday, July 10th, at 8 pm EST. My goal is to finish in the Top 20—Just to be listed among some of the best international short story writers would be a damn honor!
Publications
Great News! SFS Publishing, LLC has accepted my short story, Perpetual Override written for the Twist in the Tale contest above. Stay tuned for updates! While you're waiting, check out Sci-Fi Short’s gorgeous website.
Upcoming Events & Contests:
2024 Summer Nano Fiction Battle Writing Battle: Aug 2nd-Aug 4th
2024 Autumn Short Story Battle Writing Battle: Oct 20th- Oct 27th
Sadhill Writing Challenge (100 Words)
July Prompt: Rat(s)
Each month I’ll provide a Writing challenge to encourage fellow writers to compete in a friendly duel and to be creative. The winning piece will be featured in next month’s issue as well as any links they want to share.
Rules:
Must be exactly 100 Words.
Only one (1) entry per writer per monthly contest.
The final entry day will be by the End of the day on Friday, July 26th, 2024.
By entering, you agree for your work to be published in my newsletter if chosen as the winner and stored on my Substack as content. You retain all rights to your work.
Does not have to include the Prompt word or phrase, but must have the essence of the meaning understood somewhere in it. Metaphor and obscurity are encouraged. Finding something beautiful in darkness is even better.
All entries must be sent to my email: ChrisSadhill@gmail.com. Please use the Subject Line: Sadhill Writing Challenge (Include the Month.) You can paste the story directly in the body of the email as well as include any promotional links you want.
This is an opportunity to showcase talent and work while cross-promoting your brand. In the future, there may be prizes awarded, but for now, there are none. I’m poor, damnit. If you have any donations, such as your books or merch you’d like to donate for me to giveaway, email me and we will it happen.
Good Luck. See you next month!
…and don’t forget to leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you.
Love the idea of a writing contest :) Since you posted on the 25th, does it go to July 25th, or only to the end of June?